TroyN

I am replacing my brake pads and on the front right (first one of course) have found that the caliper is sitting closer to the rotor on the insider than the outside, so I can't fit the inside pad (it won't even slide in before it reaches the piston, if that makes sense). Should the caliper be centered over the rotor? Thanks.... @^$@#%!

TroyN

After seeing that the other 3 calipers are centered over the rotor, I can say the answer is that something is wrong w/ the right front. I could see adding washers between the upright and the caliper mount but I'm not sure if that's ok to do. It's not bent or anything, so must just be defective.

This is actually good news, I've been struggling with braking issues at the track ever since I bought the car. Anyway, if anyone's got any ideas, let me know. I may try spacers or may buy a new one.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Personally, I would NOT install washers to "fix" your problem.

I would be looking for the reasons why the caliper or rotor may have shifted position(s),..............

Questions to ask yourself are:

1) Is that caliper the original one or perhaps a replacement?

2) If the rotors were replaced, were they seated correctly against the hub?

3) Are the wheel bearings OK?

4) If those were replaced, was the hub nut torqued correctly to spec?


I think a bit of detective work will resolve the issue.

TroyN

Thanks Steve, I did go back and get the right side up in the air again and after looking at it decided against the washer route! And yes, realized that it could be that the rotor is what's not positioned correctly (seems less likely that it's not seated correctly since it would make the rotor sit closer to the outside, I'd think).

Frustrating when a simple job becomes something else. Deciding on whether I want to mess around w/ it or just take it to my shop and let them figure it out.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Depending on your mechanical skills and patience, this is not difficult to resolve,...

1) You will need to remove the pads & caliper and hang it out of the way with a bent coat hanger but the brake line will NOT need to be disconnected.

2) Then, you can pull the rotor off and see if their is any rust, dirt, or brake dust that is preventing the rotor from seating correctly against the hub. We usually see this right around the center,...

3) This can all be cleaned properly with a stiff wire brush.

Pretty easy,...

TroyN

Hmm... you make it sound so easy!

I'd estimate that the caliper/rotor are off-center by about 1.5-2mm, and again the rotor is too far to the inside, so just double-checking that you think it could be a simple matter.

And thank you again for your help!

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Well Sir,... if one is capable of changing brake pads, it is,..

Thats hard to say without being there, but there are very few reasons for this situation and I've outlined the most commonly found ones. IMHO,...its worth looking at before you run up a bill at your local shop.

KeithC2Turto

Quick thoughts.

It is not just the piston sticking out a bit? Some times they stick and the can be pushed back.

Is there play in the wheel or bearings? If they are failing this could be a problem and could move the center of your wheel.

I am not an expert.

Good luck.

Amber Gramps

Guys this kinda hits home with me. I was on the phone with Steve Weiner while driving around a couple months ago. We were talking about suspention restoration and one of my front rotors squeeked going slowly around a corner. I drove it home, got out and shook a front tire and the suspention work was on hold. I had bad bearings after only 65,000 miles. Lost the rotors and pads to the problem. sorry, just sounds similar. Steve is just now sending out the first parts to the suspention, aren't you Steve?

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Steve sure is,....

TroyN

I pulled things apart today and didn't find the cause of the problem, all seems in spec. Keith, it's definitely not just the piston. If I look through the port in the top of the caliper, where the pads are, the line down the middle of the caliper is not in line with the middle of the rotor, unlike w/ the other 3 corners. I suspect an out-of-spec caliper, as it also seems to sit closer to the rim than the caliper on the other side.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Measure the thickness of the caliper mounting ears,.............

TroyN

Will do that, thank you. Probably not til next weekend, on Dad duty this week!